lifestyle

So....Zack had actually previously proposed to Malissa in Paris, but they kept the whole thing a secret from everyone, as they wanted to surprise them with the news. Having already planned a Hawai'i trip as well, they knew they'd want their engagement photos taken here. So here it is! Some fantastic news to start the year!

See, every once in a while we do get off the beach! This family had actually rented a gorgeous home up the Kohala mountain during their stay, so we were able to stay a bit cooler and get that 'autumn in Hawai'i' feel!

Having had such an intimate elopement, these two decided they better take some photos after the fact. We're so glad they did, as she had bought this dress for their wedding, but wouldn't have ever worn it had it not been for this photo session! We've seen a lot of fabulous dresses in our day, but this classic is one of our all-time favorites!

These two just couldn't wait for a honeymoon! Their wedding is set for this coming August, but here they are taking a pre-wedding trip to Hawai'i! Thus, more engagement photos were necessary:) Scroll further to see the proposal story...and film!

Ali has been our intern for the season, working through his mentorship program as a seventh-grader at his school. We've worked through basic photography skills with him, camera functions and settings, lighting, post-production editing, as well as giving him a glimpse of the vastness of duties involved in running a small business. He claims to be most interested in landscape photography, but as it shows in his photos here, he has a knack for portraits...

With the Ironman Championship happening this month, I often have a chance to meet some clients who are also athletes for the triathlon. Such was the case with the Sidesingers....their dad is here for his 2nd time participating in the race. It's always neat to hear their stories that led them here, and so great to have a new friend to root for! I had a great time meeting this family....could those boys be any cuter?!

About half-way through my session with the Mitchell family, the kids had found a bug...and were obsessed...thoroughly obsessed with this bug. It was so cute...they were all being very careful with it, but did not want to let their new friend go...so between each take, the bug was getting passed around to whomever was not in the shot at the moment. I'm now wondering what they did with it...

Since mom had flown everyone out to spend some time in Hawai'i together, the kids decided to surprise her with a family photo session, memorializing their trip and acknowledging that getting together doesn't happen as often as we all wish. They even brought ukuleles for the keiki /kids/ to play a quick diddy...

This love story hits close to home for me...as in my hometown, and the actual home I grew up in...it's the story of my youngest brother Nick, and his high school sweetheart, Kelsey. Back in high school, Nick had asked Kelsey with a microphone, in front of all their friends if she'd be his girlfriend. Now, time to ask an even bigger question, he knew he wanted to ask her in the same way, but bigger...check it out:

Spread across the country, It is rare to see the Jie family altogether in one place. But they made the effort (twist their rubber arms) to get to Hawai'i for their mom's 70th birthday! It was fun to see the cousins explore and play together, and I'm so happy to have captured a rare family photo for them all!